The North Dakota Teaching and Certification Resource

Those who wish to teach in North Dakota’s public K-12 schools must first earn certification from the state. The North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board oversees the certification process, which is outlined below for those looking to learn how to become a teacher in North Dakota.

How to Become a Teacher in North Dakota

Like most US states, North Dakota requires all teachers to hold a bachelor’s degree, complete a teacher preparation program, and pass the appropriate content and subject examinations. Those who hold a bachelor’s degree but did not complete a teacher preparation program may be interested in alternative teacher certification in North Dakota.

North Dakota has adopted a tiered licensing structure for teachers. First-time teachers who meet all requirements are eligible for a two-year Initial In-State License. After successfully teaching for 18 months, teachers may upgrade to a Five Year license, which is renewable.

Quick Guide

I want to be a teacher in North Dakota, but don’t have a degree: Earn an Education Degree

Finding Approved Teacher Education Programs in North Dakota

Projected Job Growth

13%

Growth in Teaching Jobs in ND through 202215

Perhaps the most important step towards teacher certification in North Dakota is completing a quality teacher education program at an approved school. To qualify graduates for licensure, a teacher preparation program must be approved for the preparation of teachers by the board of education for the state in which it is located. Visit the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board for a list of approved programs.

When evaluating potential schools, it’s also important to confirm that the school is accredited by one of the six regional accreditation agencies overseen by the US Department of Education. This also applies to online and out-of-state programs.

Additionally, schools may hold accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). CAEP was formed from the merger between the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Though CAEP accreditation is not mandatory for North Dakota teacher preparation program approval, it carries a highly respected reputation in the education sector.

North Dakota Teacher Outlook
The North Dakota Workforce Intelligence Network projects 89 average annual job openings due to growth and 112 average annual job openings due to replacements for elementary school teachers, 8 average annual job openings due to growth and 10 average annual job openings due to replacements for middle school teachers, and 28 average annual job openings due to growth and 73 average annual job openings due to replacements for secondary school teachers in North Dakota through 2022.2 The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there are 8,590 elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers in the state, excluding special education teachers.3 Elementary school teachers in the state earn an average salary of $47,710, middle school teachers earn an average salary of $51,750, and secondary school teachers earn an average salary of $48,150.3 Visit North Dakota United for regular updates on policy changes, legislation and job opportunities for educators in North Dakota.

North Dakota Teacher Education Requirements

All North Dakota teacher candidates must complete a bachelor’s degree and state-approved teacher preparation program. These programs must include a general studies component, professional studies in education, and content-specific coursework. For certification, the state of North Dakota requires a 2.50 overall grade point average on all college coursework attempted. The bachelor’s degree major must consist of a minimum of 32 credit hours. The coursework requirements vary based on the grade level(s) a candidate seeks to teach; however, all candidates must take an approved course in Native American Studies. For detailed information, consult the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board.

North Dakota Teacher Testing Requirements

North Dakota is one of the many states that uses the Praxis series of tests for teaching certification in North Dakota. All applicants must pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam. This is a basic skills test that assesses knowledge in reading, writing, and mathematics. Candidates must also obtain a passing score on the Praxis II subject-area test for the desired area of certification.

Additional North Dakota Teacher Certification Requirements

Prospective teachers applying for North Dakota educator certification for the first time must complete a fingerprint screening for state and federal criminal background checks. Fingerprinting cards can be requested from the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board and official fingerprinting can be done at any authorized law enforcement agency.

North Dakota Teachers Licensing Application Process

Once the steps to North Dakota teacher certification have been completed, candidates should submit their applications to the Education Standards and Practices Board. The following documentation is required:

Official transcripts showing proof of bachelor’s degree

Verification of teacher program completion at an approved teacher preparation school

Frequently Asked Questions about Becoming a Teacher in North Dakota

Question: What are the requirements to become a high school teacher in North Dakota?

Answer: High school teachers in North Dakota must be licensed. To qualify for the license, you must have a bachelor’s degree with a teachable major and have completed a teacher preparation program. You must also have participated in at least 10 weeks of student teaching in a secondary classroom and pass a background check as well as the Praxis exams for educators.